Timothy Geeson, LeedsThe Train Operating Companies and the Maintenance Companies all take profit. It’s a nice way to transfer government subsidies to them and it’s unfair.
Neti Blackwell, Hebden BridgeTransportation will never be cost-effective if run for profit.
Ian Wilson, DarlingtonRailways and utilities should be owned by the taxpayers rather than exploited by investors both here and abroad. How can it be right that vital assets are owned privately?
William Ryan, ManchesterWe need to re-nationalise all the transport and utilities.
Joan Wyatt, LeedsWe should be able to afford to travel by train. Railways should belong to us. Any money they make should be invested in their running, not given as dividends.
David Leonard, YorkEast Coast is a perfect example of state-owned railway company. Excellent service.
Lee Montgomery, LondonPlease re-nationalise the railway! This has been well overdue, British people want their railway back.
Paul Nelson, EastbournePrivatisation of a national public service inevitably only looks to increase the bottom lines of a few. This must end. Bring back British Rail.
Elizabeth Taylor, GuisboroughIt’s a good idea as long as the prices are low and it is run properly.
Geoff Cummings, BournemouthAll utilities and public services should be working for the public and not to line the pockets of rich shareholders who know nothing and aren’t accountable.
David John Tyas, HolmfirthPlease bring back British Rail or British Railways as it was called.
Steve O’Connor, CambridgePrivatisation of essential services has proved to be costly to the public purse. Without unions in control, nationalisation would be far better.
Colin FlowerdayIn East Anglia we once had a great train service under British Rail. The trains were clean and reliable. Now they are always late or cancelled.
Richard Sutton, HexhamI would rather the public purse profited from a crappy rail service than fat cats and their shareholders.
Pat Tracey, FleetWhy privatise a national asset in the first place? – Greed.
John Peter Anderson, Newcastle-upon-TyneLet us see a genuine transport system made for the 21st Century. Britain is way behind Europe in rail travel. Think people not profit.
Chris Loades, CrawleyStop privatisation and extortionate fares, bring down the corporate greedy scum of the Earth.
Cheryl Crane, USAHaving lived in Esher, Surrey years ago and used British Rail many, many times, I wholeheartedly support the folks who serve the public so well. I just wish, wish.
Ian McGuffie, SedgefieldLet’s stop the creaming-off of all the profits from railways then handing them back as unprofitable. Re-nationalise now.
Ray Butler, ManchesterHow much improvement in services could have been funded by the wasteful franchise process?
Fred Manning, MaidstonePrivatisation has been a complete and expensive shambles. Bring back British Railways.
Brian Racher, West SussexLet’s get it all back under one roof and run by people who understand the rail industry, not those fat cats who are getting fatter by the minute at our expense.
Richard Wakeford, CambridgeI saw this in today’s “Grauniad.” Good on you, Ellie.
Liz Annetts, DerbyWe need a unified nationalised railway.
Rick Herco-Thomas, CardiffPublic transport needs to be public, with all profit used to maintain and improve services.
Mike Kelley, DerbyPrivatisation is a disaster.
Christopher Rowe, DurhamEast Coast is the best service presently in the UK, doesn’t have to pay a dividend to rich shareholders, and is less of a burden on taxpayers than any private company.
Rachel Wight, LondonThis could make such a difference to life for commuters.
Christopher White, BristolLet’s show some courage and invest in public transport.
Richard Hull, St Leonards-on-SeaKeep the profitable East Coast main line in public ownership.